Assistant/Associate Director of Financial Aid

Unity Environmental University is seeking an Assistant/Associate Director of Financial Aid to ensure accurate and efficient processing of financial aid data. This role involves assisting with financial aid delivery, counseling students, developing policies, and supervising staff. The position emphasizes clear communication and collaboration within the financial aid team and other departments, all while maintaining a student-first approach to support students' financial needs.
About Unity:

At Unity Environmental University we are on a mission to make
environmental education accessible and affordable to all. Our
unique model combines a functional hierarchy and project-based
structure through our four Sustainable Education Business Units
(SEBUs) to promote collaboration and innovation (Distance
Education, Sustainable Ventures, Hybrid Learning and the Technical
Institute for Environmental Professions). We prioritize our
students' needs above all else, offering a variety of modalities,
including hybrid, in-person, hyflex, and online. Our innovative and
inclusive culture prepares students to tackle real-world challenges
and cultivate the next generation of environmental professionals
and leaders who can make a positive impact on our world.

Our Mission:

We are dedicated to delivering quality education and experiences
that produce outstanding environmentally competent professionals
and inspire individuals from all walks of life to steward
sustainable ecosystems.

The Opportunity:

The Assistant/Associate Director of Financial Aid ensures that the
data processed through financial aid is done with integrity,
efficiency, and accuracy. This position assists with the
appropriate delivery of financial assistance - federal, state, and
institutional-to qualified students, and the proper billing and
accounting of student receipts for tuition, fees, and
repayment.

The Assistant/Associate Director of Financial Aid works with the
Financial Aid team to provide excellent service to students and
their families through clear and consistent communication. In
addition, the Assistant/Associate Director of Financial Aid assists
the Director in implementing new processes and efficiencies and
works with other units to provide support with a student-first
mentality, while following adopted communication channels with
various internal and external constituents with a strong focus on
institutional priorities.

Day to day responsibilities:
• Assist with the financial aid program and student account
functions.
• Assist with developing, implementing, and maintaining policies
and procedures for all Financial Aid functions.
• Assists with determining students' eligibility for assistance
and coordinates the disbursement of funds with the Director.
• Counsel students and their families regarding availability of
financial assistance and eligibility.
• Disseminate information to students, staff, and faculty
regarding financial aid.
• Provide support to admissions through presentations to
prospective students and families as well as individual
counseling.
• Carry out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with the
organization's policies and applicable laws. These responsibilities
include interviewing, hiring, and training employees; planning,
assigning, and directing work; appraising performance; rewarding
and disciplining employees; addressing complaints and resolving
problems.
• Serve as one of the database authorities for multiple campus
information systems, including but not limited to Institutionally
adopted financial aid system and the student information
system.
• Develop and run reports to distribute and assign work to
Financial Aid specialists.
• Ensure that all business processes are documented and current.
Implement and modify processes to enhance attainment of goals,
increase integration, and maximize efficiency.
• Assure that all information is processed according to
established time frame standards.
• Review all constituent processes and alert the Director when
they are not within policies established by the Institution.
• Review segmented communication plans in the system and suggest
/ create processes for updating and augmenting the plans as
needed.
• Periodically review training and professional development needs
of staff.
• Work directly with staff and Director for the attainment of Key
Performance Indicators (KPIs).
• Assist with the delivery of quality, constituent-oriented
services to ensure development and implementation of efficient,
effective, and integrated policies, procedures, and systems.
• Pro-actively communicate challenges, successes, and failures
with leadership.
• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Do you have the skills?
• Personal commitment to the environmental focus and mission of
the Institution.
• Bachelor’s Degree. Master’s degree preferred.
• 3 -5 years of experience
• Strong critical thinking and data analysis skills.
• Ability to work in a continually-changing environment, to take
the initiative to determine best practices, and to implement
change.
• Supervisory experience.
• Budget management skills.
• The ability to assimilate and interpret complex data, and
sensitivity to issues related to recruitment and retention of a
diverse student body.
• Strong communication skills.
• Must have strong organizational and management skills.
• Ability to efficiently operate a personal computer and
associated software (Outlook, Word, Excel, etc.)
• Ability to communicate effectively and appropriately.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality of records and
information.
• Ability to interact in an effective and appropriate manner with
diverse populations, the Unity Environmental University community
and the public.
• Ability to maintain files accurately, in paper and
electronically.
• Ability to handle multiple tasks while maintaining quality
outputs.
• Ability to effectively supervise staff.
• Ability to effectively manage student information systems.
• Ability to plan project outcomes and give attention to
detail.
• Ability to develop and implement operating policies and
procedures.
• Ability to function effectively within a matrix organizational
structure, maintaining open lines of communication while being
discreet, courteous and well poised.

Are you contemplating the job but uncertain if you should
apply? We encourage you to reach out to us regardless. At our
company, we acknowledge that not everyone begins their professional
journey with equal advantages, opportunities, or privileges.
Therefore, we value your unique skills and experiences. Take a
chance and submit your application; you may be precisely the
individual we're searching for!

Location: Pineland Farms, New Gloucester, Maine

Just a half hour from Portland, Unity Environmental University
Headquarters, Unity Environmental University Distance Education,
The Technical School for Environmental Professions, and the School
of Environmental Business & Sustainable Ventures are based at
the Pineland Farms campus. The facilities are within easy access to
one of the fastest-growing cities for startups in the
country.

Work Schedule:

Work hours are specific to the requirements of this position and
can include days, evenings, weekends. Working extended hours may be
required as needed and Unity Environmental University employees
must be flexible and cooperative in fulfilling their
responsibilities while meeting the Universities needs.

Although at Unity Environmental University Enterprise employees are
generally scheduled to work at their base location, there are times
when travel is necessary and employees are required from time to
time to attend events, meetings or work temporary assignment at any
Unity Environmental University location.

Physical Demands:

While performing the duties of this job, it is regularly required
to sit and talk or hear. The employee is occasionally required to
stand or walk. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up
to 20 lbs. Specific vision abilities required by this job include
close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception,
and the ability to adjust focus. The use of either hand for
repetitive movements such as grasping, grasping, and turning, and
fine manipulation is required as is the ability to use the
telephone for internal and external communications.

Company Perks:

Unity Environmental University offers a comprehensive and
competitive compensation and benefits package for its faculty and
staff. Benefits for eligible employees include:
• Paid holidays off
• 4 weeks of PTO
• Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance
• Short- and Long-term disability
• Life Insurance
• Flexible work benefit - ability to work from home
• Retirement Plan with up to 8% match
• Relocation Assistance